Scottish independence referendum: Q&A

Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister, has pledged a referendum on
Scottish independence in 2014. Here are the key questions:

Scotland's independence waits for a referendumPhoto: ALAMY

12:49PM GMT 11 Jan 2012

What is being discussed?

First Minister Alex Salmond is at loggerheads with Westminster about a vote over the independence of Scotland. The power to grant a legally binding referendum is held by the UK Government and Prime Minister David Cameron has suggested the vote could be held within 18 months. But Mr Salmond has promised a referendum in the autumn of 2014.

Why the conflict?

Mr Cameron does not want Scotland to leave the United Kingdom. He has pledged to publish legal advice, which is expected to show it would be unlawful for the Scottish Parliament to hold a "binding" referendum without the agreement of Westminster, which wants the vote to take place sooner than 2014.

Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has accused the Prime Minister of "meddling" in Scottish democracy. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the timing of the referendum was a "decision that is really one for the Scottish Government." The Scottish Government was accused of trying to delay a referendum because Mr Salmond knew voters did not "at heart" was to separate from the UK.

Without co-operation from Westminster, the Scottish Parliament can hold a non-binding referendum, which would demonstrate the strength of feeling among voters.

What would voters be asked?

This is another source of conflict. Westminster thinks the referendum should simply ask Scottish voters whether they think the country should split from the UK. But the SNP is considering a second question that would include asking voters whether the Scottish Parliament should be granted more powers while remaining part of the union. Scotland currently has devolved powers that include autonomy over issues such as agriculture, criminal justice, education, health and police and fire services.

Ms Sturgeon said: "We have never ruled out a second question to give people in Scotland maximum choice." The Scottish Cabinet's finalised referendum proposals are due to be published later this month.

What do Scottish voters want?

According to a ComRes poll in October, 39 per cent of those surveyed in the UK agreed Scotland should have independence. In Scotland, the figure was almost half at 49 per cent. Scotland's Deputy First Minister has claimed that Mr Cameron's handling of the referendum would boost the case for independence.

If the two parliaments fail to settle the matter, it could go to the Supreme Court. The UK minister Michael Moore has said he would work with Mr Salmond to reach a resolution while Mr Cameron has said it is "very unfair" to Scotland to prolong the debate over the timing of a referendum. Mr Salmond has stood by his pledge for a referendum in 2014, saying: "In stark contrast to Westminster’s disarray, the Scottish Government will continue with the orderly process of bringing forward the referendum in the second half of this parliament."

What is the history of the union?

The acts of union between Scotland and England were passed in 1706. Both countries had shared a monarch since 1603 but had not come together to form a single kingdom, meaning there was in effect, two crowns on one head.

The Acts took effect on 1 May 1707. On this date, the Scottish Parliament and the English Parliament united to form the Parliament of Great Britain, based in the Palace of Westminster.

England was keen for the union to ensure Scotland would not choose a monarch different from the one on the English throne.

The Scots needed financial help following an economically disastrous scheme to attempt to colonise the Isthmus of Panama in the late 1690s.

In 1999, after almost three centuries, a devolved Scottish Parliament was opened after a referendum in Scotland.

Before the present SNP government was elected in a landslide victory, it had made an election pledge for a referendum on independence on the lifetime of the current Scottish parliament.